Facing a felony, Waechter resigns from boards

Former Sarasota Republican Party chairman steps down from two county government positions

By JEREMY WALLACEH-T Political Writer

Former Sarasota Republican Party chairman Robert Waechter has resigned from two Sarasota County government positions just before county commissioners planned to discuss removing him from those posts.

Waechter told commissioners in an email Sunday that he was resigning from Sarasota County's Tourism Development Council and the Board of Zoning Appeals, effective immediately, to spare them from the "uncomfortable position" of having to discuss his removal today.

Sarasota County Commissioner Joe Barbetta, a Republican, said Waechter acted appropriately in resigning before forcing commissioners to have to act.

"I think it made a lot of sense" said Barbetta, the only commissioner among the current five board members who did not receive election assistance from Waechter.

Waechter faces a felony charge for allegedly stealing a Republican political rival's identity and making campaign donations in her name to Democratic candidates.

The 70-year-old Waechter surrendered to the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office last month after detectives said they traced the online campaign donations in the name of Lourdes Ramirez to a computer at Waechter's business.

Waechter withdrew his application for reappointment to the governor-appointed Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority last month.

Commissioners anticipated discussing Waechter's appointments to the county boards at their meeting today. They have received letters from some members of the community calling for Waechter's removal while his case is pending.

Community activists William Zoller and Catherine Antunes are among those to petition the County Commission to remove Waechter. In a letter to commissioners, Antunes said the County Commission needed to remove Waechter immediately from his official duties.

"Failure to put Mr. Waechter on leave would be an abrogation of the County Commission's duty to ensure the integrity of County advisory boards and functions," Antunes wrote.

In his email, Waechter characterized himself as a tireless and selfless volunteer over the years.

"In all of that time, I don't believe I have ever appeared before the Board of County Commissioners in my own behalf and I do not propose to do so now — despite the apparent willingness to forego due process and the rush to judgment by some in our community," Waechter wrote.

Barbetta said the only remaining issue is how quickly the commission can fill two new vacancies on the county boards.